Arizona Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients (Regional Modifications Are Permissible)

Arizona Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients (Regional modifications are permissible) FIELD TRIAGE DECISION SCHEME Measure vital signs and level of consciousness Glasgow Coma Scale ≤13 Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) Respiratory rate <90 mmHg Step One <10 or >29 breaths per minute (<20 in infant aged < 1 year1), or need for ventilator support <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">YES </li><li style="flex:1">NO </li></ul>Transport to a Trauma Center2. Steps 1 and 2 attempt to identify the most seriously injured patients. These patients should be transported preferentially to the highest level of care within the trauma system. Assess anatomy of injury. ••••••••All penetrating injuries to head, neck, torso, and extremities proximal to elbow or knee Chest wall instability or deformity (e.g., flail chest) Two or more proximal long-bone fractures Crushed, de-gloved, mangled, or pulseless extremity Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle Pelvic fractures Step Two3 Open or depressed skull fracture Paralysis <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">YES </li><li style="flex:1">NO </li></ul>Transport to a Trauma Center2. Steps 1 and 2 attempt to identify the most seriously injured patients. These patients should be transported preferentially to the highest level of care within the trauma system. Assess mechanism of injury and evidence of high-energy impact. •Falls oAdults: >20 feet (one story is equal to 10 feet) oChildren4: >10 feet or two or three times the height of the child •High-risk auto crash ooooIntrusion5, including roof: >12 inches occupant site; >18 inches any site Step Three3 Ejection (partial or complete) from automobile Death in same passenger compartment Vehicle telemetry data consistent with high risk of injury ••Auto vs. pedestrian/bicyclist thrown, run over, or with significant (>20 mph) impact6 Motorcycle crash >20 mph <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">YES </li><li style="flex:1">NO </li></ul>Transport to a trauma center, which, depending on the trauma system, need not be the highest level trauma center7. Assess special patient or system considerations. •Older Adults8 oooRisk of injury/death increases after age 55 years SBP<110 might represent shock after age 65 years Low impact mechanisms (e.g., ground level falls) might result in severe injury •••Children oShould be triaged preferentially to pediatric-capable trauma centers Step Four Anticoagulation and bleeding disorders oPatients with head injury are at high risk for rapid deterioration Burns oWithout other trauma mechanism: triage to burn facility9 With trauma mechanism: triage to trauma center o••Pregnancy >20 weeks EMS10 provider judgment <ul style="display: flex;"><li style="flex:1">YES </li><li style="flex:1">NO </li></ul>Transport to a trauma center or hospital capable of timely and thorough evaluation and initial management of potentially serious injuries. Consider consultation with medical control. Transport according to protocol.11 WHEN IN DOUBT, TRANSPORT TO A TRAUMA CENTER Page 30 FIELD TRIAGE SCHEME FOOTNOTES 12The upper limit of respiratory rate in infants is >29 breaths per minute to maintain a higher level of over-triage for infants. Trauma centers are designated Level I-IV. A Level I center has the greatest amount of resources and personnel for care of the injured patient and provides regional leadership in education, research, and prevention programs. A Level II facility offers similar resources to a Level I facility, possible differing only in continuous availability of certain subspecialties or sufficient prevention, education, and research activities for Level I designation; Level II facilities are not required to be resident or fellow education centers. A Level III center is capable of assessment, resuscitation, and emergency surgery, with severely injured patients being transferred to a Level I or II facility. A Level IV trauma center is capable of providing 24-hour physician coverage, resuscitation, and stabilization to injured patients before transfer to a facility that provides a higher level of trauma care. 3Any injury noted in Step Two or Step Three triggers a “YES” response. 4Age <15 years. 5Intrusion refers to interior compartment intrusion, as opposed to deformation which refers to exterior damage. 6Includes pedestrians or bicyclists thrown or run over by a motor vehicle or those with estimated impact >20 mph with a motor vehicle. 7Local or regional protocols should be used to determine the most appropriate level of trauma center; appropriate center need not be Level I. 8Age >55 years. 9Patients with both burns and concomitant trauma for whom the burn injury poses the greatest risk for morbidity and mortality should be transferred to a burn center. If the non-burn trauma presents a greater immediate risk, the patient may be stabilized in a trauma center and then transferred to a burn center. 10 Emergency medical services. 11 Patients who do not meet any of the triage criteria in Steps One through Four should be transported to the most appropriate medical facility as outlined in local EMS protocols. Revised: 6/2012 Page 31

Arizona Guidelines for Field Triage of Injured Patients (Regional Modifications Are Permissible)

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